Grob Twin Astir

On 9/29/2016 6:55 AM, Don Johnstone wrote:
At 02:02 29 September 2016, Michael Opitz wrote:
At 09:59 28 September 2016, Don Johnstone wrote:
Snip...
Very true, the original Grob 103 Twin Astir had no nosewheel so a super
efficient brake is not a good idea, unless of course you want to
grind off the gel coat, or even worse the underlying structure under
the nose. The Grob103 Acro did have a nosewheel and therefore the
more efficient disc brake was not a problem. I always wonder if people
actually think through the implications of
making something "better". Perhaps there was a reason why the original
design did not have a super efficient brake. Duct tape can't fix
stupid, it can muffle the noise.

Snip...
I view the extra stopping power of the disc brake as another tool in my
toolbox of flight controls. I don't use all of its capabilities under
normal conditions, but if a situation occurs where I need that power,
want to be able to access it NOW. For example, if I have a low altitude
rope break and am forced into a situation where there is not much room to
stop, I (personally) would rather get on the brake hard (even if it means
scraping the nose) in order to avoid being forced to make an intentional
ground loop (and breaking the tail boom +) to avoid a looming obstacle.

I flew professionally for 42 years, and it always grated on me when
someone took a useful tool out of my toolbox "for my own good".

Whether one is a pilot, cabinet maker, electrician or whatever, one has
tools to ply one's trade. Some of those tools will have the capability
to kill or maim. It is the responsibility of the OPERATOR to use those
provided tools with skill, accuracy and judgement. Don't blame the tool,
when the problem is in reality an inept operator....

RO

I would agree with you IF gliders, especially 2 seat gliders were always
flown by pilots experience as you and I. Truth is they are not, they are
frequently flown by very inexperienced and sometimes inept pilots, that is
the nature of gliding. The wheel brake on a glider is not a mission
critical item, unlike a powered aircraft the brakes are not tested before
taxiing, in most cases we only find they do not work on landing which is
why I never rely on them. I accept a good brake may be best in the
situation you describe but that occurs rarely. The risk of damage by a
nose over is much greater and more common. One of those cases where the
cure is worse than the disease. I do accept that the Twin Astir is very
tail heavy and almost impossible to nose down with the OEM brake, not so
with a more efficient disc brake.


Hmmm...Izziss (i.e. inexperience/incompetency/inattention/etc.) why anti-skid
brake technology on motor vehicles has become so popular? Would it not be
simpler/cheaper/better to have weaker brakes on motor vehicles? Ah, for the
good ol' days of drum brakes all around and no power assist. Thanks for
helping me belatedly realize weak, fading brakes on my first tow vehicle were
actually a safety *asset!*

In this particular "religious argument" I cast my vote for "overly powerful,"
easily modulatable, glider wheel brakes. My 2nd high-performance single seater
(purchased w. me having a whopping 200 hours stick time) actually had this
combination...and some 39 years later I still have difficulty imagining
anything better.

Bob W.